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WASHINGTON, DC – At a press conference with Republican leaders today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) took the president to task for his plan to unilaterally implement a national energy tax that will destroy jobs and make energy less affordable for American families, and called on the president and Senate Democrats to take action to stop student loan rates from doubling next week. Following are Speaker Boehner’s remarks:

“You know, millions of Americans remain out of work and the cost of groceries, gas, and health care continues to rise.

“The president’s announcement yesterday of essentially a national energy tax and a continuation of the war on coal will only make matters worse, putting thousands and thousands of Americans out of work, increasing the cost electricity – especially in a state like mine in Ohio where about 95 percent of our electricity comes from burning coal. And he’s looking for another excuse to not approve the Keystone pipeline.

“Listen, all of this is making matters worse.

“The president’s policies are not helping the economy, they’re making it worse. And if that’s not enough, we’re about to see student loans double.

“The House has done its work. Senate Democrats and the president continue to stay on the sidelines. What we passed in the House was very close to what the president offered in his budget. It’s time for the president and Senate Democrats to help lead.”